Explain how Maori society changed as a result of cultural contact with Europeans by 1840

Maori society changed in three ways as a result of cultural contact with Europeans. Their religion changed, their technology changed, and last of all, their culture changed.

First of all, Maori religion changed. It changed from a religion of many gods to a religion of a single god. The missionaries at the time in New Zealand were largely responsible this change from pagan worship to Christianity. At first, Maori were still focused mostly on their own gods, but eventually they lost faith in their original gods as they saw that the gods could not bring defense to European diseases and did not bring victory in battle. Maori saw that converting to Christianity was the only way to restore balance in their religious system.

After that, Maori technology experienced huge changes. Due to trade, Maori learned about various tools and skills. Some of their old forms of technology were abandoned in place of the new, better European technology.

Māori statue in Rotorua, New Zealand

Maori students from The New Zealand Maori Arts & C...

Detail of front of Tamatekapua, a wharenui (Meetin...

For example, with the arrival of guns and armour, many traditional weapons such as meres were discarded because they were deemed useless. Maori also learnt new skills in place of old ones. Maori changed their way of doing many things, for example, building a house or boat, due to the changes in their social and technological environment.

Most importantly, Maori culture changed. Some practices, such as cannibalism, polygamy and slavery stopped, while others, like tapu went into decline. Eventually, such practices, too, died out. Other aspects of changes in Maori culture included shifting their tribal area. This was mainly caused by wars started when Europeans introduced muskets to New Zealand. As well as being forced to move, Maori died of European brought diseases because they did not have immunity.

In conclusion, Maori society changed largely as a result of Pakeha contact. Their religion,

Citation styles:

Explain how Maori society changed as a result of cultural contact with Europeans by 1840. (2008, March 20). In WriteWork.com. Retrieved 14:53, March 19, 2018, from http://www.writework.com/essay/explain-maori-society-changed-result-cultural-contact-euro

WriteWork contributors, "Explain how Maori society changed as a result of cultural contact with Europeans by 1840," WriteWork.com, http://www.writework.com/essay/explain-maori-society-changed-result-cultural-contact-euro (accessed March 19, 2018)

More Australian History essays:

... of these factors made dissenters, who are people of differing views to the national or state church, to build a large resentment against the incriminating religion and their own country. Dissenters were very angry that they were forced to financially support a ...

... one of the most powerful political figures in New Zealand. Having huge influences on New Zealand politics for almost 20 years, his way and his character were familiar to most New Zealanders in the 70's and 80's. South Africa shocked the world in 1948 when a government ...

... A.I.F joined with New Zealand to become a force that was known as ANZAC (Australia and New Zealand Army Corps). These Anzacs were to capture the Gallipoli Peninsula, an area occupied by the Turks, an ally of Germany. This plan was put into action the morning of ...

... of new oil, coal remained Australia's staple fuel. The underground mines of New South Wales were benefiting from improved technology, and great industrial tranquility remained the country's leading producer of coal. Open-cut coal-mining also thrived in the new discovery areas ...

... New Zealand and United States) Treaty was also another reason why Menzies should not be fully credited for the growth of Australia's economy. The ANZUS was a treaty that the U.S. provided Australia with protection, which was especially reassuring due to a ...

11 pages87Dec/20023.2

Students & Profs. say about us:

"Good news: you can turn to other's writing help. WriteWork has over 100,000 sample papers"